This number has been consistent for about 20 years, and the danger time is winter.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW says the ocean is most unpredictable during and after stormy weather.

This week, the seas will be tumultuous.

With several days of dangerous surf conditions forecasted and wave heights of four to five metres, the hazard is high.

President of the Recreational Fishing Alliance NSW Malcolm Poole is urging all recreational anglers to exercise safety precautions.

"We stress all this big importance about being able to stay afloat if you happen to go into the water," he says.

Staying afloat is almost impossible if you're wearing a heavy jacket, gumboots or long pants and if you're trying to swim they can feel like concrete clothing.

Instead, the Alliance recommends battling the cool ocean breeze with a spray jacket and shorts to make swimming easier if necessary.

But our ability to swim is often overestimated, Mr Poole says.

"Wearing a life jacket is really important if you find yourself unable to swim or cannot swim.

"It's really important to add some flotation to your fishing kit."

A floatation device can also be the inside of a wine cask or a football.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance NSW's Rock Fishing Safety Video recommends that if you do fall in, you should swim away from the rocks and don't panic.

But to avoid that situation all together, Mr Poole urges people to observe first, fish later.

"The most important thing when you get to a location is physically have a look at what's happening around you... making sure you're checking the rocks you're going to fish [from] and checking the weather and tide are also important."

Additionally, knowing escape routes in case the tide rises and knowing the swell wave cycle can help avoid a disaster.